BRUSSELS -- Head of the Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU) Zhang Ming has written back to two members of the European Parliament (MEP) to explain why they were wrong on the issue concerning Czech Senate president's planned visit to Taiwan.

According to a statement published on the Mission's website on Friday, Zhang has spelt out China's position on the Taiwan question in his reply letters to Reinhard Butikofer and Maria Spyraki, who had written to the ambassador expressing their "concern" about China's opposition to the planned trip. (China-EU-Chinese Taiwan)

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MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that his country deems Alexander Lukashenko the legitimate president of Belarus.

"We recognize the legitimacy of the presidential elections in Belarus. And as you know, I have congratulated Alexander Lukashenko on his victory," Putin said in a televised interview.

He recalled that Belarus had invited the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to monitor the elections, though they did not come. (Russia-Belarus-Lukashenko)

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MOGADISHU -- Somali National Army (SNA) backed by Jubaland state forces on Saturday killed six al-Shabab extremists in a fierce clash in the southern region of Lower Juba, an officer confirmed.

Aden Mohamed Ibrahim, commander of Jubaland forces, told journalists that members of al-Shabab militants launched an attack on a base run by the regional state's forces in Bar Sanguni neighborhood, but they were overpowered. (Somalia-Shabab)

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AYBAK, Afghanistan -- Taliban militants launched massive offensive on Roiduab district in the northern Samangan province but the attack repulsed and the militants fled away after leaving three bodies behind on Saturday, army spokesman in the northern region Mohammad Hanif Rezai said.

A group of militants, according to the official, attacked security checkpoints in Roi village at 11:00 a.m. local time on Saturday to enter Roiduab district but fled away after leaving three bodies behind and several injured. (Afghanistan-Taliban) Enditem

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